Nationwide shutdown of club rugby

Sydney's Shute Shield season is facing suspension for the first time since the end of the First World War amid a nationwide shutdown of club and community rugby.

Rugby Australia, the state and territory unions and all other member unions unanimously agreed on Monday to postpone all juniors, sub-districts, women's and premier club rugby, including training, around the country until Saturday May 2, as a pre-emptive measure amid the continued spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

The agreement does not cover school competitions, including the high-profile GPS and CAS tournaments, which are expected to take advice from the relevant state government education authorities.

Pending government advice in May, RA said a seven-week window was available to run shortened competitions.

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If the shutdown is extended, it will be the first time since 1918 that the Shute Shield will not be played. Sydney's premier club competition, which started in a limited form in 1865, was suspended for the duration of World War I and resumed in 1919, running continuously in various formats from that point.

"While we expect our supporters players to be disappointed it’s important that we protect the health of our rugby communities," Sydney Rugby Union president Phillip Parsons said.

The news came as RA pressed on with plans to play some form of Super Rugby in the remainder of the season window, which finishes at the end of June. Any further government-imposed restrictions on gatherings would scotch any such plans.

The final two games of the Super W competition will go ahead as planned over the next two weeks, behind closed doors.

Australia's under 20s representative side, the Junior Wallabies, will also continue their preparations for the under 20s World Championships, which are scheduled to be played in July.

The community rugby call, which echoes the moves of national unions in the northern hemisphere, was made at the recommendation of RA's chief medical officer Warren McDonald, a statement said.

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"This recommendation covers rugby matches, rugby training and face-to-face rugby education courses. Although this decision has not been made lightly, it has been made with the interests of the participants, families and the broader community as the priority," RA said.

"In arriving at this decision, Rugby Australia and the member unions have considered public health information and the advice of [McDonald]. The group acknowledges that this decision is a more conservative approach than has currently been recommended by the Australian, state and territory governments.

"However, it has been made to provide clarity to the rugby community in a challenging and disruptive time."

RA also noted the shutdown did not cover the operation of non-rugby related activities of clubs, including clubhouse bars.

"Government advice should continue to be followed in this regard," the organisation said. "Rugby Australia and the member unions are fully committed to supporting the game through this difficult time and the decision will allow for six weeks of planning to deliver a modified season which will commence, at this stage, at the beginning of May.

"The modified season will vary at a local level to best support the needs of our local Rugby communities."

Meanwhile, RA has written to the federal government in the first tentative steps to asking for a bailout should the pandemic shut the professional game down for a year.

Chief executive Raelene Castle was expected to make a call on delaying the five-yearly broadcast rights tender process on Wednesday, when the official offer period was due to open.

Potential bidders Optus and Ten appeared to favour a six-month delay on the process, given the uncertain fallout from the coronavirus on the sport and their own businesses.